Infinite MonkeysOn this actual Memorial Day Monday I haven't done much more than have a few quick words with my sons (8 & 4) about what the day stands for. Well, we did listen to most of Michael Medved's account of the background behind the events that led to our nation's independence. Now I'm listening to Victor Davis Hanson on Hugh Hewitt's pre-taped show. The boys are more into their legos.
My real observance of Memorial Day took place over the last week, as I watched the first 7 and a half of the ten episodes of the HBO production of Band of Brothers. (Since my boys are still too young for such a realistic portrayal of war, I probably won't be able to watch the conclusion until tomorrow.) I had read the Stephen Ambrose book a few years ago, but the time lapse and the different styles of storytelling made the experience completely fresh. I am at a loss for how to describe the quality of the series. My expectations were high – very high. I tried to steel myself for disappointment. But the production surpassed my hopes, and in many ways, improved upon the interpretation of my reading mind's eye.
From HBO's online press releases:
Ambrose read the scripts for [HBO's] BAND OF BROTHERS, but was content, he says, to let "Hanks and Spielberg do their magic, because I trust them so much and I know what they're going to do with the story." After seeing its translation to the screen, Ambrose is, he declares, "ecstatic! It's just wonderful. This series is the best portrayal of war in the 1940s, ever. Everyone knows how good Spielberg is, and I was even more impressed after working with him on Saving Private Ryan, and then Hanks really put his heart and soul into this. And he got it, just the way it happened, and he's just a genius in how he does these things." Ambrose is particularly glad to see that Hanks kept to the truth, even the truth that doesn't look good, such as the American GIs looting, because it's what happened but its also put in context.There's too much to excerpt from the section on the costumes and weaponry, and the sections on special effects and the production/art design.
It feels odd to be praising the work of film makers on Memorial Day. But the subjects of their work, specifically and generally, are deserving of such efforts of remembrance.
From the account of the screening in Normandy for "forty-seven of the 51 remaining Easy Company veterans and their families,"
Veterans praised the screening as realistic and moving. Veteran Herbert Suerth observed, "It was as intense as was shown [on screen]. It wasn't Hollywood. It was real."Posted by Brad at May 31, 2004 04:30 PM | TrackBack"It's marvelous, what they've done," said Donald Malarkey, "It's exactly like it was when we were there."
"It's a very emotional day," added veteran Richard Winters. "Pass these lessons that we learned along. Don't forget them. They were hard lessons to learn."